The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-02-17


Written for THE COMET,
"Come out here, George Burks put
that glass down-can't wait minute.
Business particular-concerns the
company. don't often meddle in
other folks business, do l? When a
tough old fellow like me sets out to
warn body, you may know its be-
cause he sees sore need of it.
"Just takin' drinks for good fellow
ship? Yes, l know all bout that.
Been there myself. Sit down on the
edge of the platform here.
"Of all the men in the world, | take
it engineers ought to be the last to
touch the bottle. We have life and
property trusted to our hands. Ours
is grand business; l don't think
folks look at it as they ought to, Re-
member when | was young fellow
like you, just set up with an engine,
used to feel like a strong angel, or
somethin' rushin' over the country,
maxim that iron beast do just as l
wanted him to. The power sort of
made me think fast.
II was dom well when | married
and l did well long afterwards. We
had nice home-the little woman
and me: our hearts was set on each
other, and she was little proud of
her engineer-she used to say so, any
how. She was sort of mild and tender
with her tongue. Not one OF your loud
ones; and pretty, too.
"And after awhile we had little
girl. We talked good deal about
what we should call her-my wife and
/. We went clean through the Bible,
and set down all the fine story names
we beard of. But nothin' seemed to
suit. ! used to puzzle the whole
length Of my route to find name for
that little girl. Ny wife wanted mo
to call her Endora Isabel. But that
sounded like folderol. Then we had
up Rebeccar and Maud and Amanda
Ann and what not. Finally, whenev-
er looked at her, | seemed to see
"Katie." She looked Katie. | took
to calling her Katie, and she learned
it, so Katie she was. | tell you George,
that was child to be noticed. She
was rounder and prettier MAIDEN a
wax figger her eyes was bigger and
blacker'n any grown woman's you ev-
er saw set like stars under her fore.
head and her hair was that light
kind that all runs to curls and gilt
ters.
"Soon's she could toddle, she used
to come dancin to meet me. I've soil.
ed a-many of her white pinafore's
burying my face in them before / was
washed, and sort OF prayin soft like
under the roof Of my heart, God bless
my baby God bless my little lamb!
GAS she grew older, | used to talk tc
her about engine-evep took her into
my cab, and showed the tachments @.
the engin' to her, and learned her sig
nails and such things.
,"My home was close by the track
Often and often the little girl stood ir
our green yard, waving her mite O
hand as we rushed by.
"Well, one day / started on m,
home trip, full Of that good fellowship
you was imbibin' awhile ago. Made
the engin' whizzl We was awful Jolly
the fireman and me. Never wal
drunk when got on my engin before
or the company would have shipped
me. Warn't no such time made OF
that road before nor since. had jus
sense enough to know what l wa
about, but not enough to handle al
emergency. We fairly roared dowl
on the trestle that stood at the en-
trance of our town.
II had tipsy eye out, and, George
4sRs We was flynn through the suburb,
] see my little girl on the track ahead
.wavin' red flag and standin' stoc
still!
"The air seemed full of Katies.
could have stopped the engin' if T.
only had sense enough to know wha
to take hold OF to reverse herl But
was too drunk And that grand littl
angel stood up to il, tryin' to warn I
in time, and we just swept right alon
into pile of ties some wretch ha
placed on the track Right over m
babyl oh, my baby!
"There! And do you want me
tell you how that manged little MAJ
killed her mother? And do you wal
me tell you walked alive the mu
derer of my own child, who stood Il
to save me2 And do you want me
tell you the good fellowship you WI
drinkin awhile ago brought all tn
on2" TIN.